posted by
someone claiming to be SL8Brick
on
Wed Sep 22 02:28 CST 2004 [ RELATED]
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I'm preparing to purchase a set(4)of inexpensive Winterforce studable winter tires(from the Tire Rack)for my 245. Its my understanding that studable tires must be studded when new and cannot be studded once the tires have been driven on. I live/drive in southeastern PA where our snowfall is typically hit-or-miss. Do you think the benefits of studded tires would be worth enduring the extra noise and reduced dry road handling associated with them?
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posted by
someone claiming to be SL8Brick
on
Fri Sep 24 02:21 CST 2004 [ RELATED]
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I appreciate all of your responses. I'll be ordering my tires next week and I think I'll opt to go studless. My original set of Firestone Winterfires were not studded, and I always seemed to get through the white stuff OK with them. Thanks again.
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AS you know, CT gets plenty of messy winter weather, with ice, slush, etc. Lots of wet snow usually, though last year we thought we'd never get rid of it.
I *HAVE TO* get to work on time for my shifts. We don't shut down.
I ran last winter with just 2 Gislaved Nord*Frost II's on the back of my 244. They weren't studded. I never got stuck, and had great confidence in the car, like I've never had before in any of my cars. 2 up front would have made rallying possible, I think.
My wife's 740 ran Bridgestone Blizzaks all around, and I think they too were an excellent tire. The 740 seems to be notoriously bad in the snow. This year, the tires made all the difference.
For this winter, I just happened across a pair of Nord*Frosts, mounted, used, with great tread and studs. They're going on the back, the non-studded tires up front, and I will be getting to work every day without worries.
Alternately, my good friend probably could have climbed trees or possibly ski slopes with a Golf IV on Hakkapellita's- simply incredible tires.
The tires make all the difference- THIS car sat every snowstorm because the BRAND NEW Pirelli P4000 "all season" tires were 100% useless in snow. Terrible tire, I never thought I'd hate a Pirelli, but avoid these for any winter driving.

--
Rob Bareiss, New London CT ::: '87 244DL/M47- 230K, 88 744GLE- 220K, 82 245T-181K Also responsible for the care and feeding of: 88 745GLE, 231K, 87 244DL, 239K, 94 855GLT 189K
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posted by
someone claiming to be Skip
on
Wed Sep 22 05:24 CST 2004 [ RELATED]
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I've lived in the same area (Easton) for the last 18 years and can't think of a time where studs would have helped over my Blizzaks. Back in CT we had more ice and studs were worth it. Snows have come a long way and IMHO rarely need studs.
Skip
'93 850GLT
'83 242TI Flathood
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Here's my take on it. I live in western Oregon where snow has become a fairly rare event. When it does come we usually have a time when the snow gets packed down to ice. When that happens, regular snow tires have trouble getting any bite into the ice. Chains work but are a pain to use. Studded snows do help.
I keep a set of studded snows on Volvo rims. They can fit either of my 240s but not my 940. I ONLY put these wheels on when there is snowfall expected to last a few days. Last winter these wheels went on my daughter's 240 for about a week. She had never driven on ice or snow but got along just fine on these tires. I drove the car also and it handled pretty well. You still had to give extra stopping room on ice. As soon as the snow melts, I switch back to the regular tires. With a good floor jack, switching tires is not a huge hassle and I'm 71.
There are three reasons I don't leave the studs on all winter. I feel they worsen handling on dry pavement; the studs damage the road surface; and the studded tires will last many years this way. If you can use studs only when needed, I'd go with studs. If you have to leave them on all winter, I'd look at some of those "super" snow tires the Swedes sell here. (I can neither spell or pronounce their names but a serch on this forum will bring them up.)
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Here in the snowy/ icy New England, all of our personal rides have aggressive treaded snows with studs on all four wheels. Have been doing this for many a year, and have had no problems...the noise sounds like little stones stuck in your tire at low speeds, highway speeds I've never noticed them. Also, have never experienced reduced dry road handling.
They really don't do much good in the snow, but worth their weight in GOLD on hard packed snow and ice. I'm originally from South Central PA and started my winter tire habit there due to the amount of hard packed snow and ice.
Our winter tires see four to five seasons (Nov-April) before they are useless.
Go for it and enjoy.
--
84, 242GLTi, 167K, 4+OD, in rehab; 89, 245 DL, 263K, M 47, daily driver; 93, 245, auto, 167K ; and other toys.
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Here in Ontario, we're not allowed to have studs. I've never driven a car with studded tires, but must say that regular snow tires(without studs) are far superior to regular all-season tires. My suggestion, especially in your area where there is sometimes snow and sometimes not, would be to not worry about the studs. They will help a lot in the snow, it's true, but snow tires on there own are good in the snow. The noise and such associated with the studs would not be worth it in my opinion. Anyways, good luck,
Nate Gundy
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'86 240DL sedan, 260K miles, M46, K cam, 25/23mm sways, 260 front and wagon rear springs; http://valvespringcompressor.weblogs.us/
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